Was just tooling around for a few minutes to get a feel then jumped on it... goddamn is that thing fast! Haven't driven a high power turbo car in a long time and was shocked by how brutal the acceleration was. The car gains speed so quickly...and the sensation of speed (or more accurately acceleration) is obviously helped by the turbo lag/boost. This is especially true given where I live - at 5200ft the S65 loses a lot to a boosted engine. Overall was very impressed by the car's performance, handling, and braking.

The downsides... For what looks like such a big car, it felt pretty cramped on the inside and the high belt line doesn't help. Quality of interior fit and finish are not BMW standard but not bad. This was an 09 so maybe they have improved things in successive years, esp the '12s. Also seemed pretty loud between intake noise, exhaust drone and clutch rattle (this was much louder than the M3.) The tranny seemed pretty clunky/unsophisticated. I am sure I didn't have some settings right, but downshifts weren't terribly smooth unless you were really on it and pulling away in first was a little jerky. To be clear, I drove an SMG equipped M3 for 5 years and am one of the few to prefer that box over a dual clutch set up. The Nissan version just didn't seem as polished. And don't get me started about the fixed paddles...

Will need to take it out a bit longer to see if I would switch, but I am seriously tempted. Maybe the most striking thing apart from the brutality of the power was how taut/sharp/focused the GT-R is and how soft the M3 is in comparison. Not ripping on the M3 as I am amazed at how livable the car is for how much performance you get, but driving the GT-R helped provide a reminder for how far in luxury/comfort the M3 has moved compared to a more pure sports car.

Yeah it's fun. The fit and finish on the 2012s interior is significantly improved. I would put it at least the level of the M3, minus extend leather on the m3. Then again the m3 has a more of a spartan luxury sport interior and the GT-R is mostly sporty. They did add some improved stitching to the leather on the console and dash. Tranny is less clunky by way of some reprograming. Although the paddles are not attached to the wheel, they are very long and fairly each to reach on turns. As you probably know, suspension and power are the main upgrades.

95+K will get you into a 997GT3,that will leave you in awe in not just power but grip,feel,build quality,weight(800lbs) and feedback.The soundtrack from the Metzger flat 6 at 8400rpms will make GTR sound like a Dyson.Keep on looking and try a GT3 at full wail,you'll be back here with another write up having forgotten about a particular Japanese car!

95+K will get you into a 997GT3,that will leave you in awe in not just power but grip,feel,build quality,weight(800lbs) and feedback.The soundtrack from the Metzger flat 6 at 8400rpms will make GTR sound like a Dyson.Keep on looking and try a GT3 at full wail,you'll be back here with another write up having forgotten about a particular Japanese car!

LOL!
I will post some sound clip of the GT3 RS / RSS bypass combo. I also did testdrive a 2010 GT-R and it is very fast car. I am invited now to test the new 2012 one and likely will do next week. I cannot tell you why i did go with the GT3 RS and not the GT-r or the Z06, both of them are very fast cars, somewhat faster than the GT3 RS. Sometimes I still think about the GT-R then I remind myself, the radical SR8 is out there as well!!

95+K will get you into a 997GT3,that will leave you in awe in not just power but grip,feel,build quality,weight(800lbs) and feedback.The soundtrack from the Metzger flat 6 at 8400rpms will make GTR sound like a Dyson.Keep on looking and try a GT3 at full wail,you'll be back here with another write up having forgotten about a particular Japanese car!

I like the technology of the GT-R.The numbers speak for themselves and believe me the GTR has plenty of grip. I had a 997.1tt a couple of year ago and I prefer the GTR hands down. The GT3 is an awesome car, but I think it's more for a traditionalist who really wants a 6speed. I'll give it to you on the soundtrack, but that can be fixed with a simple mid pipe. I personally like the stock sound a well. All that is subjective. The numbers speak for themselves. Here are some :

LOL!
I will post some sound clip of the GT3 RS / RSS bypass combo. I also did testdrive a 2010 GT-R and it is very fast car. I am invited now to test the new 2012 one and likely will do next week. I cannot tell you why i did go with the GT3 RS and not the GT-r or the Z06, both of them are very fast cars, somewhat faster than the GT3 RS. Sometimes I still think about the GT-R then I remind myself, the radical SR8 is out there as well!!

You have arguably the best driver's car ever produced in the last decade,GREAT choice.Porsche GT cars are for purists that like the minimalistic approach to car design. This yields a car that is lightweight,eager to be pushed and FUN to drive compared to most super cars out there today.I can care less how many seconds car A has on car B at Track Z.How the car makes one feel behind the wheel is more important IMO than numbers on a sheet of paper.You cannot hide 800lbs of dead weight around the car and still come up with delicate feel and feedback from all 4 corners.

Numbers put down by a pro driver at a racetrack,have absolutely nothing to do with feel,feedback,weight and emotion a car exudes.A GTR will feel sterile compared to a 997GT3 or even a 996GT3.

I agree that the GT3 has more "feel." It's definitely a purists car. If "feel" is what one is looking for a stripped down track ready Miata or Honda s2000 are also good choices. I agree that the GT3 is without question an amazing driver's car. I appreciate all types of cars for what they have to offer. Everyone has to choose what best fits them in terms of performance, road feel/feedback, comfort, practicality, price, etc.

I agree that the GT3 has more "feel." It's definitely a purists car. If "feel" is what one is looking for a stripped down track ready Miata or Honda s2000 are also good choices. I agree that the GT3 is without question an amazing driver's car. I appreciate all types of cars for what they have to offer. Everyone has to choose what best fits them in terms of performance, road feel/feedback, comfort, practicality, price, etc.

Miata or S2000 compared to a GT3,LoL..Lets not go off on a tangent.We are talking about 95K+ plus cars here that are capable of more than just ''feel''. Feel and weight is just one attribute the cheaper car will have that will rival a GT3.Safety,grip,brakes,engine,transmission,suspens ion,speed and build quality,they are be wayyy behind.

Yes,I agree the GTR has phenomenal speed and numbers.Your average driver can go very fast in one without much effort.I guess that is why it has mass appeal.I for one like the challenge the Porsche puts on the table and the purist way they build cars.They are not for everyone of course,that is why we have choices.

I'd jump into a Carrera for the price. Props to the GT-R for being a budget supercar.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KTM505SX

95+K will get you into a 997GT3,that will leave you in awe in not just power but grip,feel,build quality,weight(800lbs) and feedback.The soundtrack from the Metzger flat 6 at 8400rpms will make GTR sound like a Dyson.Keep on looking and try a GT3 at full wail,you'll be back here with another write up having forgotten about a particular Japanese car!

I drove an 09 and could probably get it for close to $60k. Agree, I would look at a GT3 if I wanted to spend $90k and that would be more up my alley, but I could see myself DD-ing a GT-R but not a GT3.

Quote:

Originally Posted by richpuer

of course stunning....More $$ = more/better car...nor surprised really...if i were going to drop 90k+, i just wouldnt choose that car

That is remarkably oversimplified. An 09 when it came out was not too far off the price of an M3 and the performance difference is extraordinary. There are tradeoffs as I mentioned, but overall it is great value for the performance you get. For ~$100k, I would look elsewhere but still give the car its due. Have you had a chance to drive one? If not, would recommend you do. I've driven loads of fast cars and in terms of feel it *felt* substantially faster than anything I have driven recently. Part of that may have been down to my expectations of the car giving more a feel of a GT car with strong thrust versus the violent acceleration I felt.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sensi09

What do you prefer about SMG over DCT?

Prefer the more raw feeling of a sequential manual if I am going to give up a 6 speed. DCT obviously has a better auto function, but I could care less about that.

Numbers put down by a pro driver at a racetrack,have absolutely nothing to do with feel,feedback,weight and emotion a car exudes.A GTR will feel sterile compared to a 997GT3 or even a 996GT3.

Agreed. My previous .1 turbo felt the same way and it was a six speed. I am so much happier with the .2 GT3. As much as truly appreciate the GTR, especially the newest version, I feel as though the same feeling would plague the GTR as my .1 turbo. A GTR will destroy my GT3 in any speed contest but the fun and excitement I get from my GT3 ~especially the .2~ is priceless.

I drove an 09 and could probably get it for close to $60k. Agree, I would look at a GT3 if I wanted to spend $90k and that would be more up my alley, but I could see myself DD-ing a GT-R but not a GT3.

A GT3 is just as capable as a dd as a GTR, AWD aside. A .2 GT3 even more so.

A GT3 is just as capable as a dd as a GTR, AWD aside. A .2 GT3 even more so.

??? GT3 has no back seat, rougher ride (GTR has a comfort setting), smaller trunk, and ground clearance is even worse. Now the back seats in the GTR are not huge by any means, but still able to fit two adults and larger than 911 rear seats. I honestly don't use my back seats very much. However, they are there if I need them.

??? GT3 has no back seat, rougher ride (GTR has a comfort setting), smaller trunk, and ground clearance is even worse. Now the back seats in the GTR are not huge by any means, but still able to fit two adults and larger than 911 rear seats. I honestly don't use my back seats very much. However, they are there if I need them.

Correct, no back seats. If you did need those then a reason not to dd it. I don't think the ride is any more rough than the GTR I test drove. Granted that was a 2009. As a matter of fact the .2 GT3 was softer in normal suspension mode. GT3s have sport and normal suspension modes as well as quiet and rock on exhaust mode .

Ground clearance is a toss up I thought, maybe not. Mine barely ever scrapes but I am cognizant of it. The front lip is meant to take abuse anyway and is very easily replaced.